Burkina Faso’s Hugues Zango jumps into history books

Burkina Faso`s Hugues Fabrice Zango. Pic/AFP

Hugues Fabrice Zango gave Burkina Faso their first global athletics title when he won the men's triple jump world gold in Budapest on Monday. Zango, 30, won with a best effort of 17.64m to add gold to his world silver last year and Olympic bronze in 2021, which was the west African nation's first ever Olympic medal. "Look at my big, big, big smiling mouth," he said.

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"It tells you everything. I had so many difficulties and doubts. I have been struggling a lot. I had to travel a very long way to get this gold medal. I promised to make history and I did it tonight. That is the first gold medal in men's triple jump, not only for my country, but for Africa as well. I cannot imagine the level of celebration in my country when I go back home, but I'm going to start the celebrations in Budapest," said Zango, who was proud to produce positive headlines for a country rocked by unrest in recent weeks. "We have some troubles in our country, but it's an incredible mission to bring some positive emotions to them," he added.

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